Periodontics and Periodontology Commons^™

Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (Cb2) Ligands Downregulate Pro-Inflammatory Markers In Stimulated Primary Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts (Hpdlfs), Ammaar Hasan Abidi

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

There are approximately 743 million individuals suffering from chronic periodontitis (PD) making it the sixth most prevalent condition worldwide. The affected adult population in the U.S. are nearly 64.7 million and the healthcare costs exceeds $14 billion. Recently, host response to pathogenic infection has been seen critical to the progression of PD and exhibit increase in various inflammatory markers. Marijuana is well known for its recreational usage and is a risk factor for periodontal disease, which is seen as a concern in society for its negative health consequences. However, many medical conditions can benefit from the pharmacological effects of cannabinoids. …

Pronthocyanidin-Rich Cranberry-Fractioninduced Alteration Of Periodontal Pathogen Lipopolysaccharide Functions, Vreiti Sangha

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The cranberry (species: Vaccinium macrocarpon, family: Ericaceae) is a polyphenolicrich berry fruit native to North America and exhibits numerous beneficial properties for human health, such as inhibition of human cancer cell line proliferation and prevention of urinary tract colonization by bacterial pathogens. The proanthocyanidin rich cranberry fraction has long been speculated to possess the capacity to reduce the production of inflammatory mediators by LPSstimulated macrophages and gingival fibroblasts and to inhibit host extracellular matrix destructive enzyme production and activity.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of cranberry non dialyzable material (NDM), which was shown to be …

Activity Of Epithelial Defensin Hbd-3 Against A Periodontal Pathogen, Norman B. Fine

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Defensins are cationic (positive-charged) peptides with broad-spectrum antibiotic activity. In humans, there are two types of defensins, alpha (α) and beta (β). Human neutrophils contain four α-defensins known as Human Neutrophil Peptide (HNP) 1-4. Epithelial cells produce four β-defensins known as Human Beta Defensin (HBD) 1-4. Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that are associated with periodontal disease are resistant to human α-defensins, but are killed by β-defensins.

HBD-3 is the most active β-defensin. HBD-3 is a longer peptide than HNP 1-4. HBD-3 has additional amino acid residues with hydrophobic side chains near the N-terminus and residues with cationic side chains at the …

Inhibition Of Monocyte Chemotaxis And Chemokine Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1 Alpha, And Interleukin-8 Secretion By Lipopolysaccharide Isolated From Periodontal Pathogens, Andrew Karl Gray

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The vast majority of periodontal pathogens are classified as gram negative bacteria. These bacteria have an outermost membrane consisting of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a molecule that can act as an endotoxin and elicit an immune response. The lipopolysaccharide structure consists of three major regions: oligosaccharide, core, and lipid A. Oligosaccharide is exposed on the cell surface, and lipid A anchors LPS in the outer membrane. LPS has been known to hinder certain defensive mechanisms of the immune system by secreting products that interfere with signals that promote chemotaxis of leukocytes enabling the pathogens to go unrestricted. When LPS binds to the …

Statins Regulate Il-1Β - Induced Rankl And Opg Production By Human Gingival Fibroblasts, Ivelina Jurkowski

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Three-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase competitive inhibitors, also known as statins, are widely used agents for lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk for a heart attack. Recent data suggest that statins influence bone metabolic activity by stimulating new bone formation both in vivo and in vitro. Bone resorption in periodontitis, an inflammatory disease, is orchestrated by the interaction of various cytokines in the inflamed tissue, produced by immune cells and also by resident cells such as human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. Three molecules, members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand and receptor superfamilies, regulate the process of …

Peripheral Taste System In Inbred Mouse Strains, William Wes Shelton

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Taster and non-taster mice strains have been used extensively in animal taste research. Inbred mouse strains C57 and FVB have been proposed to be tasters, where as strains 129 and Balb/C are classified as non-tasters. Therefore, evaluating the peripheral taste system in these mice is of great importance to determine if there are morphological differences that might explain the physiological classification. The purpose of the present study was to determine if inbred mice that have been shown to be tasters have a larger number of fungiform papillae, have larger fungiform papillae and have larger taste buds. My work in this …

Effect Of Methamphetamine On Gingival Fibroblast Production Of Matrix Metalloproteinase (Mmp)-2 And -9 And Tissue Inhibitor Of Metalloproteinase (Timp)-1 And -2 In Vitro, Owais Ali Farooqi

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is associated with "METH mouth" characterized by rampant caries and periodontitis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) produced by gingival fibroblasts degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and play an important role in periodontitis and oral cancer metastasis. There is no information on effects of METH on fibroblast MMP production, or its role in periodontitis or tumor metastasis.

Objective: Determine effect of METH on gingival fibroblast MMP production and activity.

Methods: A human gingival fibroblast cell line was used. METH cytotoxicity was determined by measuring its effects on activity of a mitochondrial enzyme. Cells were cultured ± METH (1x10^-6- …

Differential Stimulation Of Monocytes To Secrete Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor By Lipopolysaccharide Of Periodontal Pathogens, Jason Todd Primm

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or endotoxin, is the major component of the outer surface of gram-negative bacteria. LPS is a potent activator of cells of the immune and inflammatory systems, including macrophages, monocytes, and endothelial cells, and contributes to systemic changes known as septic shock. Each LPS molecule has three regions: oligosaccharide, core, and lipid A. Oligosaccharide is exposed on the cell surface, and lipid A anchors LPS in the outer membrane. Recent studies from our lab demonstrated that LPS of periodontal pathogens suppresses neutrophil's ability to secrete super oxide ions and also shown it to interfere with neutrophil chemotaxis. These factors …

Silver Doped Hydroxyapatite Coating On Titanium Surfaces And Its Effect On Early Bone Response And Osseointegration, Nicole Besu

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The clinical success of dental implants is determined mostly by surface properties of implants and interactions with surrounding tissues. Furthermore, clinical success of dental implants is directed by implant surfaces and bone cell responses that promote osseointegration and long-term stability. Hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated Titanium (Ti) implants have been widely used due to its effect on bone response. However, microbial infection is common. One material known to have anti-microbial properties is silver (Ag). However, the effects Ag has on osteoblastic activity as well as decrease bacterial load has yet to be determined.

In this study, the effect of Ag-doped HA coatings on …

Effects Of Tricalcium Phosphate Coated Titanium On Adjacent Early Bone Formation, Bristol Williams

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Dental implants are the gold standard of restorative dentistry today. Implants have been used for several years in Orthopedics. Dental implants are an important treatment option for several patients today. When a patient is fully or partially dentate, they are given the opportunity to restore their dentition in ways similar to their natural oral cavity. The past literature states that titanium is one of the first metals used in implant placement. There have been many improvements made on this material. Most modifications have been used in order to promote more bone growth around these implants. Several different coating materials have …